MLB Announces Strategic Partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League to Boost Women's Professional Softball

Major League Baseball (MLB) has made a historic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), marking its first substantial financial commitment to a women's professional sports league. The AUSL, set to debut in early June, features four founding teams—Talons, Bandits, Blaze, and Volts—that will compete in a 24-game season across multiple cities, with Kim Ng serving as commissioner. This partnership aims to elevate women's softball by providing greater visibility through MLB Network and MLB.TV coverage, and participation in marquee MLB events, aligning with the growing popularity of women's sports and softball's upcoming return to the Olympics at the LA28 Games. The league benefits from the involvement of softball legends, including members of the 2004 Olympic gold medal team, who serve as coaches, general managers, and advisors, highlighting the sport's rich heritage and talent. Players expressed excitement about the professional opportunities and coaching support now available, which contrasts with previous player-led structures in earlier iterations of Athletes Unlimited softball. This collaboration underscores MLB's commitment to promoting gender equality in athletics and expanding the platform for female athletes in professional softball.